It’s a cozy rainy Sunday so I decided to make some maple leaf sandwich cookies while binging vampire diaries. Also can we talk about the song choices in the first season? I’m obsessed with all the songs lol anyway one of my favorite maple desserts are those maple leaf sandwich cookies from Trader Joe’s. So I decided it would be fun to make my own. these are a maple spiced leaf cookie with a spiced maple filling.
Maple leaf cookies
Cookies
* 2⅔ cups All-purpose flour
* 2 tbsp Cornstarch
* ½ tsp Salt
* 1 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature
* 1/2 cup white Sugar
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1/2 cup Powdered sugar
* 1 Egg, room temp
* 1 tsp Vanilla extract
* 1 tsp maple extract
* Optional pinch of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom for extra flavor
Filling
- 1 stick butter, room temp
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Maple extract, to taste
- Splash vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- Optional spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, etc) for additional flavor
For the cookies: in a mixer with the paddle attachment combine butter and sugars and cream together for a minute or two. Add the egg and extracts and mix to combine. Be sure to scrape sides of mixer. In a separate bowl mix flour, salt, cornstarch, and spices. Whisk then add to butter mixture. Dough will be soft. If dough is too soft to work with you can chill it. Once ready to use flour your counter, roll out dough, and use cookie cutter to cut into shapes. At this point I chilled my dough for about 30 min before baking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees f then bake for about 8-12 min. The time is a little dependent on how thick the cookies are. Set aside to cool.
For the filling: in your mixer whip butter for a few minutes until creamed then add powdered sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla and maple extract. Whip for several minutes until nice and smooth. Use a small piping tip to add filling to cookies. Can also make a maple syrup glaze instead of a filling.
Making maple leaf sandwich cookies at home not only fills your kitchen with a warm, comforting aroma but also allows you to customize the flavors to your liking. One tip I found particularly helpful is to incorporate a blend of warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom into both the cookie dough and the filling to deepen the autumnal flavor profile. When rolling out your dough, chilling it beforehand makes the cookie shapes hold better during baking—this helps you achieve that perfect maple leaf silhouette. I recommend using a high-quality pure maple syrup for the filling instead of the imitation maple extract to bring out a richer, more natural sweetness. The filling’s creamy texture improves significantly if you carefully whip the butter and powdered sugar until fluffy before adding the liquids. Using a piping bag with a fine tip helps with neat, even layering between cookies. Pairing these cookies with a hot beverage such as chai tea or coffee enhances the cozy vibe, especially on those chilly, rainy Sundays. Moreover, enjoying them while watching a favorite series like Vampire Diaries can make the baking experience even more delightful. If you're passionate about baking with seasonal ingredients, these cookies also make great gifts, wrapped in wax paper tied with twine for a rustic touch. Overall, this recipe merges the nostalgic essence of fall flavors with the joy of homemade treats, making it a must-try this season.
